A method of producing a radiofluorinated compound comprising the steps of forming a reaction mixture comprising a reactant having a formula of R—Y and a radiofluorinating agent having a formula of R′—
18
F; and contacting the reaction mixture with microwave radiation to achieve a temperature of between 100° C. and 250° C. for a time sufficient to convert at least 10% of the reactant into the radiofluorinated compound having a formula of R—
18
F, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl (C
1
-C
20
), a cycloalkyl (C
3
-C
10
), an aryl, a heteroaryl, an aralkyl and an alkenyl group (C
2
-C
20
); Y is selected from the group consisting of a sulfonate, a nitro, an acetate and a halogen; and R′ is selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal cation, an alkaline earth metal cation, a transition metal cation, an ammonium cation, and a tetraalkylammonium cation is provided.